Plus, new carbon-conscious ambulances.
 
April 19, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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Today’s Forecast

78º | 48% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 8:06 p.m.

 
Helado Negro’s homage to Asheville’s outdoors
Roberto Carlos Lange (known as Helado Negro) in a yellow shirt with black dots and lines, putting on round sunglasses with white rims.
Dive into Helado Negro’s latest Asheville-inspired album. | Photo by Sadie Culberson
Roberto Carlos Lange made the move from New York to Asheville several years ago, looking for a change. He’s been making music, or rather delicately crafting his own lush sonic universe, under the moniker Helado Negro since 2009.

In February of this year, Lange released his latest album “PHASOR,” which features nine tracks he produced, engineered, and mixed and which earned critical acclaim, including a title of Best New Music from Pitchfork. It’s his first album since residing in Asheville.

And now, he’s preparing to play a sold-out show this Sunday, April 21 at Eulogy (which happens to be on the musician’s Hyperlocal guide from Apple Maps, pinpointing some of his top local spots).

The inspiration behind “PHASOR”

The songs live in a world of their own, with intimate storytelling soundtracked by warm, spacey synths. But they were partially inspired by Lange’s reconnection with nature. He cites his long, local mountain hikes in Stories of PHASOR, a short film directed by Spencer Kelly that followed the creation of the album. But besides Asheville’s influence on the album’s themes, the city provided a change of pace for the musician.

“I think in a lot of ways, it afforded me this slow down, this different perspective on how to approach my own day-to-day habits of working,” Lange shared, “and how to hone what I’m doing with my music in terms of when I was writing and having a practice in my studio. I felt like a different approach.”

Beyond what can be gleaned from physical space, Lange is always on the hunt for stories. And the stories of composer and sonic meditation practitioner Pauline Oliveros (who coined the term “deep listening”) and Fender amp assembly worker Lupe Lopez (about whom very little is known) set the tone in the album’s opening track “LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveros).” Fender amps are marked with a piece of masking tape, identifying the builder — and across internet forums, Lopez’s amps are considered to be the best.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, April 19
  • “Please Bug Me” Opening Reception | Friday, April 19 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | Free | Meet the artists who created paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other works celebrating the importance and beauty of insects.
  • Downtown After 5 | Friday, April 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Asheville, 97 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Jam out with Magenta Sunshine and Empire Strikes Brass, grab food and beverages, and check out the offerings from local makers.
  • Houndmouth | Friday, April 19 | 6-10 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $30-$35 | Catch a set from the alternative blues and rock band with support from Future Killer.
Saturday, April 20
  • Scrapbook Office Hours | Saturday, April 20 | 1-3 p.m. | Buncombe County Special Collections, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Join photographer and archivist Eric William Carroll for a scrapbooking session with an option for building a “screenshot scrapbook” with your electronic device.
  • Springtoberfest at White Labs Brewing Co. | Saturday, April 20 | 1-5 p.m. | White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S. Charlotte St., Asheville | Free | Tap your feet to Bavarian beats and enjoy food, games, cocktail specials + White Labs Brewing’s refreshing Spring Lager on tap.*
Sunday, April 21
  • Bountiful Bowls | Sunday, April 21 | 1-5 p.m. | UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 1 University Heights, Asheville | Free | Celebrate Earth Day and Food Waste Reduction Month all-in-one by purchasing a beautiful handmade bowl to fill with salad or soup, all in support of Bountiful Cities.
  • Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, April 21 | 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Test your linguistic skills with the classic word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.
Monday, April 22
  • Trivia with Billy | Monday, April 22 | 7-9 p.m. | River Arts District Brewing, 13 Mystery St., Asheville | Free | Compete in eclectic trivia for a chance to earn 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place — plus, bonuses like best team name.
  • The Mountain Goats | Monday, April 22 | 7-10 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $50 | Hear hits from the four-piece indie folk band as well as newer cuts from the latest album, “Jenny from Thebes.”
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Finance
 
Introducing Asheville’s newest wealth management experience
The women behind Gratz Park Private Wealth Asheville posing together on a rooftop in Asheville.
The goal of this new partnership is to create a synergy that goes beyond collaboration. | Photo by Jeremy Russell Photography
ICYMI, two financial powerhouses have combined forces.

Webb Investment Services and Gratz Park Private Wealth — both women-led wealth management practices with 30+ years of service — recently came together to form Gratz Park Private Wealth Asheville.

The partnership significantly enhances the scope and capabilities of the practice’s financial services, setting the stage for an even more enriched and dynamic wealth management experience. Think: Support staff, fresh perspectives, and cutting-edge solutions.
Securities offered exclusively through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC. Gratz Park Private Wealth is not a registered broker/dealer, and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Gratz Park Private Wealth is a Signature Wealth Group Affiliate

© 2024 Gratz Park Private Wealth | 110 E. Third Street Lexington, KY 40508

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Contributions to a retirement account may be tax-deductible depending on the taxpayer’s income, tax-filing status, and other factors. Withdrawal of pre-tax contributions and/or earnings will be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59 1/2, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Buncombe County has added several new ambulances to its fleet and has 15 more on the way. A handful of the ambulances have idle mitigation systems to lessen fuel use and carbon emissions. Plus, $1.4 million will be budgeted for FY25 to acquire four more vehicles. (WLOS)
Giveaway
  • We’re buzzin’ about this raffle from Bee City Asheville. The purchase of a $25 raffle ticket enters you in a drawing to have a custom-designed 10’x10' native pollinator habitat installed in your yard, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. Only 400 tickets will be sold, so grab yours before Thursday, May 9 at midnight.
Biz
  • Meet the young professionals changing the status quo in Asheville’s business community and beyond. The nominees for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural PROpel AVL awards were announced, highlighting folks under 40 who have shown outstanding leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Celebrate the nominees at the ceremony on Tuesday, May 7.
Plan Ahead
  • Lauren Groff (who was just named one of “TIME Magazine’s” 100 Most Influential People of 2024) will be the keynote speaker at Punch Bucket Lit’s Inaugural Literary Festival in September. Sign up for a reminder to get tickets when they go on sale Wednesday, May 1.
Asked
  • Welcome to AVLtoday’s Tortured Poets Department. We have to admit, we’re down bad for the poems submitted in our 2024 Poetry Contest. It’s been over a fortnight since we announced the competition, and we’ve narrowed it down to our top four finalists. Give them a read, then choose which one you think should win.
Job
Wellness
  • Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies are available in two strengths and made with high-quality USDA organic CBD extract. Get 30% off with code CBDSLEEP30.*
 
 
Arts
 
Celebrating Record Store Day in Asheville
Asheville-Harvest-Records
The vinyl on display at Harvest Records is practically eye candy. | Photo by @harvestrecordsavl
Calling all Asheville audiophiles — Record Store Day is tomorrow, Saturday, April 20. Here’s where you can find the special releases you’re itching to get your hands on (or just some cool LPs to add to your collection).

Harvest Records

Wanna beat the crowds? Lucky for you, Harvest Records opens earlier than usual at 10 a.m. Plus, after looking through its Record Store Day selection, you can check out a fresh batch of used vinyl hitting the shelves at noon. Then keep the party going with DJ sets, free beer, and a pop-up from Garden Party.

Records in the RAD

The shop is opening up at 10 a.m. for you to browse the day’s special releases and the store’s new and used restocks. While you’re there, check out Records in the RAD’s art gallery, featuring paintings of famous musicians by Brian and Dylan Haynes, relatives of rocker Warren Haynes.
 
The Buy
 
Biz that gives back. Check out these brands that are committed to sustainability and giving back to the environment to celebrate Earth Day.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Grace Powers.JPEG Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
Earth Day may be on Monday, but there are a plethora of ways to show your love for Mother Nature this weekend. Check out our roundup of activities, from clean-ups and educational events to crafting parties and special dinners.
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